Sam listens, something in his chest hurting oh so very deeply for the man currently nestled inside of him so intimately. This, though, Sam realizes, feels so much more intimate. The way Bucky falls apart, but lays himself bare. It breaks Sam's heart, and it humbles him too, to be allowed this moment of true vulnerability with Bucky.

He shifts closer. Just wraps himself fully around Bucky, offers skin and warmth and closeness that this man has been lacking in his life so sorely.

"I appreciate the apology, but it ain't necessary. There's nothing you need to feel sorry for."

Another kiss to his cheek, then again. Kissing those tears away. Gentle and warm, always.

"I want you to understand that your feelings, your needs, anything about you... they're never something you gotta hide or feel bad about. Not with me. Not with anyone. It should never have been like that for you. You were never meant to be lonely, and I'm so, so sorry that you were, Buck. You won't be, I can promise you that. The sun ain't the star of the show, man - we're a package deal. We're partner, you and I. It's US, not just me and then you somewhere. And..."

He stops. Falls silent, very fast. Pulls back a little and stares at Bucky, wide-eyed, struggling to conceal how horrified he is.

"You don't know that they think highly of you. Do you?"